NZ’s epic railway journey | The Northern Explorer | Auckland to Wellington
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 พ.ค. 2024
- Hop aboard one of the world's great railway journeys - the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington. This is an epic, all-day journey through spectacular scenery. Find out why the Northern Explorer has been described as New Zealand’s hidden gem, in this video travel guide.
In this video, we'll explore the specially designed Scenic Class carriages, which feature panoramic windows and skylights, and experience the open-air viewing car.
The Northern Explorer climbs the world famous Raurimu Spiral and crosses deep ravines and towering viaducts as it traverses the Central Plateau including the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. The journey also includes includes one of the best stretches of coastal railway in New Zealand - the Kapiti Coast and Porirua Harbour.
Northern Explorer bookings, fares and timetable:
www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours...
Route guide by the Man in Seat 61:
www.seat61.com/auckland-to-we...
🚉 Train: The Northern Explorer
🚉 Operator: Great Journeys of New Zealand (parent company: KiwiRail)
🚉 Locomotive: New Zealand DF class (DFB 7213)
🚉 Seat: Car A, Seat 03D (window)
🚉 Route: Auckland Strand - Wellington
🚉 Distance: 681km
🚉 Travel time: 10 hours 40 minutes (scheduled)
🚉 Class: Scenic class
🚉 Travel date: 27 October 2022
EQUIPMENT:
🚉 Cameras: GoPro Hero 10, GoPro Hero 8, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Panasonic HC-VX1
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:47 - The Strand station and check in
02:18 - Train consist and seat tour
03:57 - Departing Auckland and crew announcement
06:28 - Cafe car and breakfast
07:55 - Viewing car and North Island Main Trunk line
09:49 - Route and Huntly
10:54 - Hamilton to King Country
13:09 - Otorohanga and first viaducts
15:07 - Bathroom tour and Taumarunui
17:02 - Raurimu Spiral
20:27 - Tongariro National Park and lunch
21:53 - Makatote Viaduct and the last spike
23:06 - Hapuawhenua Viaduct
23:49 - Okahune and the Tangiwai disaster
25:52 - Mount Ruapehu and wine time
26:42 - Turangarere Horseshoe
27:34 - Rangitīkei River and viaducts
29:56 - Accesible features of the cafe car
30:37 - Makohine Viaduct, Marton and travel times
32:46 - Electric locos and Palmerston North
34:23 - Levin to Waikanae
36:12 - Kapiti Coast
37:49 - Fares
38:44 - Plimmerton and Porirua Harbour
40:12 - Tawa Flat deviation to Wellington
41:39 - Arriving Wellington
42:55 - Final thoughts and next trip
Music
I use Artlist for high quality, licensed audio. If you sign up using my referral link below, you will get two extra months for free.
artlist.io/Adam-3542584
Credits and sources:
OpenRailwayMap:
www.openrailwaymap.org
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_I...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norther...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raurimu...
King Country
teara.govt.nz/en/king-country...
Viaducts
places.nz/9848
www.engineeringnz.org/program...
Population stats:
www.stats.govt.nz/topics/popu...
www.wellingtonnz.com/about-us...
Photos and videos
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Joerg Mueller, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
North Island rail map:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...
Meet the Locals: Lahar video
Department of Conservation (NZ)
• Meet the Locals: Lahar
Pictorial Parade No. 81 (1958) video
Archives New Zealand
• Pictorial Parade No. ...
Tangiwai rail disaster photos
Archives New Zealand
www.flickr.com/photos/archive...
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
By Манько Марко
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Waiteti railway Viaduct
By Johnragla
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Northern Explorer at National Park
Northern Explorer heads south from National Park
media.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz... Explorer
Raurimu Railway Spiral from Helicopter
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Duane Wilkins
'Final spike - North Island main trunk line'
nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo...,
Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1909, D-2
Crater Lake
Michal Klajban via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Capital Connection
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
DB Thats-Me
Follow me on social media:
/ _fromthewindowseat
/ adamgjoyce
/ adamjoycetravels
#greatjourneysnz #KiwiRail #trainreview
Thank you for sharing. As an ex Kiwi Resident, who has an avid interest in rail travel, I have to agree that NZ does offer some spectacular scenery. However the rail ticket prices are over the top, and its no longer a public service per se, but a tourist train as others have mentioned. My real gripe is that when I first travelled this route in 1996 there were 14 trains a week from Auckland to Wellington, now in 2023 only 3 trains a week. For all of the supposedly green kiwi credentials this is not good and is in real terms going backwards compared to the rest of the progressive rail world. So many countries investing in new lines, routes and stations, even in the Middle East in Saudi to the reopening of part of the Waverly route in Edinburgh. The rest of the World moves on with rail infrastructure projects but regretably not New Zealand. On a different note wonderful to see the Kapti Coast and my old home areas around Plimmerton and Porirua. Great presentation thank you.
Thank you! Good points … and it’s not a question or either / or, there should be both. Regular, affordable services for locals and more premium services aimed at tourists. I agree wholeheartedly that rail has so much potential … same in my country, Australia, where we should be investing in high quality passenger trains. Cheers!
Bang on criticism mate. I'm a kiwi native and agree whole heartedly with this sentiment, after riding trains overseas it's very clear we have a long way to go with public transport.
With a population of 5.1m people it's not feasible to fund everything especially when rail is a distant 4th option.
Hi Adam 👋, you have outdone yourself with this amazing presentation. I have cruised NZ 3 times from Australia and loved every minute. I think I need to experience this journey while I am able and think the $200 is well worth it for the breathtaking scenery. I do wonder why New Zealanders are so anxious to move to Australia when they already live in Paradise. I do look forward to your next journey across the straight. I also hope you continue your journey through the South Island. Thanks again for this wonderful and educational presentation.
Hi John. Thank you so much! It took a lot of work but I think it was worth it. I had high expectations for New Zealand ... and even with those, the country's beauty blew me away. Yes, I made it to the South Island too. I loved it so much I hope to return. :)
@From the Window Seat You're very welcome, Adam and I am waiting patiently for more NZ footage.
They move because salaries are garbage in New Zealand compared to Australia. Scenery doesn't pay the bills.
@Fishfingers232 Thanks for your reply, and yes, that would definitely be a reason to move to Australia.
Nice place with beautiful scenery..God bless
Would love to give this a go next time I'm in NZ!
You definitely should. Cheers!
Thanks. Was waiting for this one. Would love to check out some NZ golden arches from that viewing car.
Cheers! Ha - yes, what a combination. ;)
Stoked to see you cover such a good line! I agree with other NZers that I wish there were a cheaper option for locals that was less tourist oriented, but I did ride this line 10 years ago to National Park and loved it!
Good call!
You deserve many more subscribers. A pro quality video, enhanced by the infographics and historical details.
Thank you - really appreciate that! 🙏
Thank you so much for your video my 8yr old son and I enjoyed your video we watched all your videos
my 8 year old loves listening to the history of the places and the trains he learnt so much so thank you so much for your time and keep the video going
I must say my son watching your video is much better then Minecraft 🙂🙂
I love the history that he narrates his videos with. I also love how the videos are focused on the journey and not the presenter! I have loads of his videos to catch up on.
Your son will definitely benefit from these videos and hopefully inspire him to travel in years to come.
That's brilliant to hear Amanda - thank you! 😊
Awesome video. As you can tell by my channel name I am from The King County which you touched on in the video. My Great grand father was one of the Chiefs who approved the survey. I’m from Kakahi where the rails go behind my house and I’d swim in the Whakapapa river daily @ 16:51. I live in Auckland now 😢 but go home regularly.
Kia ora! Thank you. That’s incredible to hear. What a wonderful legacy. Glad to hear you get to return home regularly. ☺️
I lived in Taumauranui for a while + Auckland Orewa Christchurch Rangiora Nelson + Picton
@@nevkrisjackson8065 nice, I currently live in Orewa 😊
In the old days; the predecessor of this service (the Overlander) used to stop at all the stations like Marton, Waiouru, Taumaranui, etc and it used to be hauled by the EF's between Palmerston North & Te Rapa, and it used to do the trip in 1 or 2 less hours than now and the prices were definitely cheaper than flying. I think the open air car used to be the smokers car LOL.
However; the carriages used were the old 56ft carriages from the 1940's, with claustrophobic toilets, small windows and really old fashioned spring seating. There was just the one big window carriage at the back. The food options weren't great either, mostly pies.
Yes, I’ve heard about The Overlander. Interesting to hear those details. Would have been quite an experience. 🤔
Lovely video Adam - I miss New Zealand and need to visit again - thank you 😊
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
I love your videos, and good on you mate, you say Māori place names Bette than a lot of Pākehā do!
You have to remember in Australia many towns also have indigenous names so for us the idea of pronunciation of things like that albeit a different language is more instinctive (imo) than Europeans coming here.
And a lot of mispronunciation that us kiwis will laugh about and some will cringe.🙂
Thank you so much! I know some of my pronunciations weren't quite right. I found the Te Aka Māori Dictionary quite helpful.
maoridictionary.co.nz/
@@FromtheWindowSeat I was about to say. The way you pronounced around half of the māori words was spot on. Several other words you were very close to getting right.
Thanks for making the effort. It's appreciated.
@@DWtrainsNZ Thank you! Adding to the complexity was that even some Kiwis pronounced certain names differently on TH-cam videos, so I had to choose one over another (obviously favouring Māori pronunciations over those by Pākehā but it wasn’t always possible to find Māori pronunciations). 🤔
Absolutely fascinating and beautiful scenery. Videos are so well done. New Zealand ranks at the top of my bucket list to visit now with a ride on this marvelous rail line. Thank so much.
So glad to hear that. Thank you!
Later this year I will be visiting New Zealand for the second time .
I feel tempted to travel by this train to Wellington where my son resides .
Loved this Adam. I may never travel that train, but I felt like I have journeyed my homeland with you.
Great to hear that Bruce. Thank you!
WoW! Another great video of NZ railways. Until I watched these, I hadn't really rated NZ as a railway journey destination. But that's all changed. I am going to watch all the others you have posted in this series. I think a trip over the ditch is on the cards for me.
I’m really glad to hear that. Enjoy!
I would love to ride this train from Auckland to Wellington! I have never been to New Zealand but the scenery looks amazing in photos!!
Yes, highly recommended.
Okay great I was going to ask if you recommend the trip as a tourist in terms of good scenery! I will have to go one time! @@FromtheWindowSeat
Well this was very interesting for me for a few reasons. I was born in NZ in mid 1950s (left NZ with my family in mid 1960s) and my family and I traveled regularly on what was then the NZR (New Zealand Railways). We loved trains and it was always an adventure for us. Boy, trains have changed a lot since then. They were pretty rudimentary in those days and one had to buy one's food and drink in the station and carry it onto the train. The food was served on or in thick china labeled NZR. You left your dishes for NZR to clean up. The trip was much more clackety clack, and swaying (which we loved), and walking between cars one could see the tracks between the moving joins. The join was also not closed in on the sides, but did have chains across the gaps. And the washrooms...well. When you flushed, the toilet simply opened at the bottom and you could see the tracks whizzing past. We were not supposed to flush while in the stations. When I was about 12 we moved to Canada and took the train from Vancouver to Toronto (3 day trip). An adventure of a completely different kind for me and my siblings. Thanks for sharing this. I really enjoyed it.
Wow … sounds like a real adventure on the train back then. Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching! 😃
New Zealand beautiful country n lovely people
Agreed. ☺️
A well informed documentary. I've travelled this line a few times with different Railway Enthusiast groups. I'm still impressed with the scenery each time.
Good homework on the Harrods incident, most of the country got behind it.
I believe that since the trip was booked out in advance, more food should've been stored. I always look forward to my next trip on the explorer.
Thanks so much! Yes, the scenery is great … I’d be interested to do it again, perhaps northbound. Yes, it was a little surprising they ran out of food given they knew the train would be full. 🤔
Have never used this service during the day. Definitely inspired to do a day trip next time I travel from Wellington to Hamilton.
Another first class video, many thanks for showing this kiwi parts of NZ I've not yet seen!
Wonderful to hear! You won't regret it. Cheers!
That open air car is awesome
It is! 😍
Hello Adam I live in Aus now from NZ and before I moved to Aus train trips was pretty exciting and a regular occurrence growing up as a kid in NZ
whether it was travelling between suburbs to Wellington and back or going to Auckland and Wellington and vice versa !
So I stumbled on your TH-cam channel and enjoy watching you enjoy showing people your journey through NZ travelling by train good stuff 👍
Great to hear that. Thank you! 🙏
Watching NZ train vlogs for the first time. Appreciate sharing even the minor details on this scenic route
Great to hear the details are appreciated. Thank you!
Nice video and epic views! New Zealand and Australia are on my bucket list .. I still regret not taking at least a short trip there when I was moving around Singapore for 10 days in 2018. Greetings from Central Europe :-)
Hey Pete. Thank you! Yes, you definitely need to make it Down Under some time. You won’t regret it. I’m hoping to visit Europe in 2024. 🤞
Hi Adam.
Beautiful scenic journey that's for sure.
I did have a giggle at your "healthy" lunch 🤣.....
Ah, but isn't that what holidays are for. ?
I am sure the crew were a tad embarrassed at running out of food !
The ferry video should be cool to watch . I only did it once....and that was way back in the '70's. !!!
Thank you! Haha. True! Although I was keen to try one of their hot meal options, which sounded quite good. 😋
The scenery from the ferry is also spectacular. 😍
Ngā mihi!! Great video. I grew up on the railway, both of my parents worked on the railway based in Taumarunui. I was lucky to ride on the then Silver Fern Railcar with the crew from Taumarunui to the crew change in National Park all the time which inspired my now career as a flight attendant lol.
Some of the words you used to describe the spiral reminded me of the old day commentary, said live by the crew back in the day lol.
Awesome mahi e hoa ❤
Thank you so much - that's wonderful to hear! Tēnā koe!
A little bit of trivia: The Train used to be called the Overlander and during that era, the train was diesel hauled from Britomart to Hamilton where a change of logo occurred to an EF class electric loco which took the train to Palmerston North and yet another loco change back to diesel. It was only within the last few years that the train used the Strand instead of Britomart. I have been on the Overlander once and the Northern Explorer once as well.
Oh cool. Yes, that would have been a fun experience (and quieter with the electric loco from Hamilton to Palmerston North).
I suspect it varied depending on the equipment/staff available. I've done the Overlander twice in the days they operated it daily (with a crew change at National Park rather than the crew overnighting at Wellington as seems to the case now) and both times it was diesel hauled all the way through. Would have been between 2005-2015.
Great video. Brings back memories of this train. Do remember getting the train twice from Auckland to Wellington. While I was living in Auckland and a kid as well
Awesome. Wonderful to hear. Cheers!
You have a natural talent for making professional standard documentaries, the visual effects are really good.
Thanks so much!
I'm a Kiwi born from Auckland, it's great to know that I can bring my Australia husband over to see were I was born and raised for 21 years, I left my home land when I was 21 years old, I have lived in Australia now for 33 years even had my two children in Australia. This is wonderful to see and knowing that the train runs 3 days a week ❤ so there is at least somewere to stay overnight and then a train back to Auckland. But was wondering if there are tours along the way to be able to see the glow worm caves haven't seen them since I was a wee little girl. Just beautiful seen all this beautiful scenery that I haven't seen any years, and now I get to bring my Australian husband to see it all again with me. New Zealand is a beautiful place beautiful scenery and also beautiful fresh air of course outside of the city areas😊
Yes, they do offer tours with stops along the route. See the options here:
www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours-and-trains/holiday-search/?style=&duration=&origin=1
Hi from another fellow kiwi, im from Palmerston North. But spent most of my life in western Australia. I took nz for granted so beautiful.
Oh, what a beautiful country New Zealand is I would love to visit
It really is. 😍
Such a beautiful land. Thank you for sharing your amazing videos👍✌️
Glad you liked it. Yes, the country is stunning. 😍
In Poland we have the best loop on lane from Tarnów to Nowy Sącz, Małopolskie region. Its Grybower Loop (Pętla Grybowska). Enjoy onboard some old rolling stock, like EN57, or compartment TLK trainset with openning windows.
Sounds great. Will have to try it one day.
What like this type in journey is that it was during the day time given us the chance to see the country.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
Hi Adam... Well dad and I just just enjoyed watching yet another brilliant video thanks to you..
We had never really seen much of New Zealand's scenery but boy did this satisfy our curiosity...
Great choice of music as always to accompany the journey with much info and maps that you generously include throughout the entire video..
And for this we thankyou for all that you do upon your travels...
See you on your next one...💚
Hi Corinne. Lovely to hear that you and your dad enjoyed it and appreciated the maps, music and info. Thank you!
When I did it the train left from Britomart. Loved the trip! Cheers from Aus.
Nice. Thanks!
Wow wonderful visit sri lanka
Thank you! Hopefully one day. 🙏
@@FromtheWindowSeat sure i hope your visit
great video as always! thanks for sharing 🚂
Thank you! 😊
Love these train trips you have given to this glorious viewing of beautiful NZ.cheers
Thanks so much!
Love these videos very informative thank you! I’m from NZ and have just returned from Japan where they have an amazing train transportation system. Hope one day NZ increases train transportation for public transport as well as tourism. Love all the beautiful scenery and your commentary hope to do this trip one day!:)
Thanks so much! Yes, I’d love to see more passenger train routes introduced in New Zealand. Wonderful country. Very excited to visit Japan myself. 😃
I had a marvelous time on that trip
Great to hear. ☺️
Love your rail adventure videos Adam. Very cool.
Thank you! 🙏
I've done this trip and it's bloody awesome. If you want to explore the North Island, this is the way to go. I've also done the Picton to Christchurch route also. The only best part of this route is traveling through the Kaikoura coast, but the best train ride that beats both North and South Islands is the train trip from Christchurch to Greymouth. One of the most picturque trip you will ever experience.
Yes, they’re all incredible journeys for different reasons. Thanks for watching!
Excellent and the most interesting trip report. Very detailed information. Bravo. Best regards from Tel Aviv.
Glad you liked it. Thank you!
Thank you for an enjoyable experience.
Thank you!
Thank you so much. This was really helpful.
Happy to hear that. Cheers!
This is a great video, so much beautiful scenery.
Thank you! Yes, the scenery is stunning.
What a lovely journey! So well filmed and edited, a Sunday highlight for me! Thank you xx
Thank you so much!
Another great video as always. Thanks for taking the time to make it. and a BIG thumbs up.
Thanks so much!
Thank you for your excellent video, we enjoyed it very much!
Thank you!
Loved a lot..beautiful journey.
Thank you!
Your videos are very well done and you also do a very good research about the areas. Thanks a lot.
Thanks so much - I enjoy the research part of making these videos.
Such a scenic train ride!
It really is. 😍
Brilliantly made train ride documentary. Thank you.
Glad you liked it. Thank you!
Very nice videos! I appreciate learning about the areas you are going through.
Thank you!
Hi . What a great video. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Really good video . Thanks.
Glad you liked it! Thank you!
Hello from the UK! great video, interesting as always. I have feeling ( but maybe wrong) that the the baggage car at the rear of the train is also a converted British Rail (BR) Mk2 vehicle, the windows ( including the blanked out ones) are the same. I was pleased to see the old BR coaches in those sidings, I saw them in service in Auckland, and was strange to see the same vehicles I had travelled so many times for work here in UK
I believe you may be right. Well observed! 😃
@@FromtheWindowSeat No problem, I guess I grew up with BR Mk2 coaches so can easily spot them. 😄👍
So very helpful as I plan my trip! Thank you!
Brilliant to hear. Hope you enjoy your trip!
Absolutely awesome video here Adam, you've done a amazing train journey👍
Thank you very much!
That was excellent ! thank you
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
that was great fun, thanks. i was an assistant guard for 2 years on what we called the ratler , when i was 17,im now 67,lol. so it was a while ago. we used to run every night , using up to 17 cars, mind you we had the 5 nz post cars attached too. really enjoyed my time with nzr.
That sounds like it would have been a wonderful job and incredible experience. Glad you liked the video. Cheers!
Love it! Great video. Brings back memories of making the same journey in 2001 when backpacking - back when Strand station was still Auckland station! Thanks!
Thank you! Ah, memories. This was my first trip to New Zealand … but one thing’s for certain … I’ll definitely be back. 😊
Greetings from NZ. Thank you for such an amazing content.
Greetings! Glad you liked it. Thank you!
Definitely a bucket list item
Agreed! 🙌
Thanks so much for this-thinking of doing this trip later in the year and this was really useful to watch!
Great to hear. Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you very much for sharing your training experiences with people. The information in details you offered in the video is very helpful. Thank you again.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you!
best train travel video i have ever watched, love your work mate
Wow - thank you! 🙏
Loved the commentary. Great filming. GREAT Job. I feel as though I was there.
Thanks so much Kurt. Great to hear that. 😊
Great Video! Well edited, looking forward to seeing the other videos on the Great Journeys of NZ! :D
Thanks so much! Yes, stay tuned (although it’s taking me a long time to edit each video … but I’ll get through them all eventually 😆).
@@FromtheWindowSeat I have a feeling it will be worth the wait.
In 1972 I went from Wellington to Auckland overnight on the sleeper Silver Star train.
Sounds great!
But I didn't have a clue about any of this.
@@FromtheWindowSeat Your videos are convincing me to go back to NZ and do the rail trips. I hitch hiked around both islands for 3 month in 1972/73 and lived there for 15 months. Thanks for your videos.
@@FromtheWindowSeat I lived and worked at the hotel over the road from Wellington Station. So, it is a familar scene for me.
Super! Thanks for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome! 😊
Absolutely wonderful video on the Pacific my friend all the best John uk 😊
Great to hear. Many thanks! 😁
Thank you for this video. Will be on this train from Hamilton to Paraparaumu this Saturday.
Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you for sharing your experience. Remarkable video.
Thanks so much!
Good technical information and maps, as well as other informative commentary
Well done!
Thanks so much! 🙏
fantastic to watch more please ..
Thank you - I'll see what I can do!
Awesome production there mate, very well put together :)
Thanks so much! Cheers! :)
Great job. Very informative video!
Thank you!
Great presentation of the trip. Good edding and pleasant background music. Thanks for showing.
Thank you!
Exellent, Feel I ve been to NZ when I havent
Great to hear. Cheers!
Seeing this from the UK, I absolutely loved that and the details well done.
Thank you very much!
Great video..very well put together..informative and on point narration..appreciate the effort behind the video 👍
Thanks so much! Wonderful to get that feedback. 🙏
Thank you for sharing this awesome video of your journey 🎉❤😅😊.
These are very beautiful areas.😊
My pleasure 😊
Your channel is excellent. Extremely comprehensive information.
Thanks Peter. Really appreciate that.
I went on this when I was 10 years old in 2004/2005, it was known as the tranz scenic overlander back then and the carriages were much older. So cool to see the journey again, I remember it so well! Always wanted to do it again, the service almost got scrapped in 2006 but the government of the day saved it. The train departed and arrived at Britomart station back then; when all trains in Auckland were still diesel.
That’s interesting to know - thanks for sharing. Glad my video could bring back memories. Yeah, it would be great if the Northern Explorer could still operate from Britomart. Very glad they didn’t scrap it! Cheers!
@@FromtheWindowSeat thank you! And cheers to you for such great content! Amazing amazing channel!
@@blakelaurie7865 🙏 ☺️
Thank you so much for this great journey through the North Island!! ✨️♥️✨️
Glad you enjoyed it!
Well shot, classy editing, informative commentary - excellent production.
Thanks so much. 🙏
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Highly informative and beautiful scenery
Great to hear - thank you!
You have convinced me to take this journey. Will plan for this soon.
So great to hear that. Enjoy!
Another well presented video from your travels. I've done the journey several times in both directions on past trips across the ditch, but haven't experienced it in these quite comfortable looking carriages. The open air car was on this and the TranzAlpine trains on my last visit back in 2007. Thanks for revitalising my memories of the scenery and local hospitality, If I do the trip again southbound, I'll be sure to purchase my lunch shortly after leaving Hamilton so I don't get caught out like you did. Cheers and thanks again. I look forward to your coverage of the InterIslander Ferry and other Kiwi Train Trips,😀😀😀
Thanks so much! Yes, good idea re lunch. Interesting that Great Journeys NZ are reintroducing Scenic Plus on the TranzAlpine route. Might have to return one day to check that out too … at least you don’t have to worry about running out of food when it’s all included. 😆
Another lovely one! ❤
Love from a railfan based at India!
Thank you! 🙏
My hometown Te Awamutu, we spent a few trips back and forth to Ohakune where my grandparents lived. The main trunk line has been a feature I my life ❤
Wonderful. Cheers!
I remember as a kid doing this trip south, doing the spiral was always a huge buzz coz being in the rear carriages you got to see the steam from the engine up front turning the bends ... just a nice mem from my childhood.
What a great memory. Thanks for sharing!
First time viewer of your channel. Excellent video, great job. I learned a lot, and it would be worth watching again. Looking forward to the next video.
Thanks so much!
Excellent video I have travelled on the Northern Explorer and it was a wonderful trip from Hamilton to Papakura
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it too. 😃
Another beautifully produced and well researched film, Adam. I must make that trip of a lifetime from the UK to Australia and New Zealand
Thaniks so much! 😊
Fantastic journey (and video). I've never been outside Europe and certainly never considered flying half-way round the world! But this has got me interested in NZ. I don't have a bucket list, but if I did, this would now definitely be on it! Many thanks.
That’s brilliant to hear. Hope you make it to NZ one day!
i love this country love to came here
Yes, it’s beautiful.
Nga mihi Adam, ka pai to mahi (great work) ❤ love your vids and commentary they're always very informative. I've watched most of your Aussie Train trips and a couple of those (The Ghan and Great Southern) are now on my bucket list. Awesome work mate 👍👍
Tēnā koe Tony. That’s so good to hear. Hope you get to take one or more of these great railway journeys soon! ☺️
Hey Adam!
Really enjoyed this video, a link of which I was sent from my mate in Christchurch. Keep up the great work!
That’s great to hear. Thank you!